Podcast Summary: "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg"
Episode: Hour 3: The List & The Pro Bowl
Release Date: January 29, 2025

1. Opening Remarks and Bobbleheads Exchange (00:02 – 07:34)

The episode begins with a lighthearted exchange between the hosts Don LaGreca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg regarding custom bobbleheads sent by a listener, Anthony Ooks Jones. The trio humorously critiques the likeness of each figurine, pointing out inaccuracies and sharing laughs over their exaggerated features.

• Alan Hahn (01:03): "Books Jones sent what is supposed to be bobbleheads, although I'm told the heads don't bobble."
• Peter Rosenberg (02:30): "But I just think that might just be the way that the figures were made."

This segment sets a jovial tone, showcasing the camaraderie and playful banter among the hosts.

2. Hal Steinbrenner’s Comments on MLB and Salary Caps (09:00 – 15:17)

The conversation shifts to a critical analysis of recent comments made by Hal Steinbrenner of the New York Yankees. Alan Hahn expresses frustration over Steinbrenner’s remarks regarding the Los Angeles Dodgers and the broader implications for Major League Baseball (MLB).

• Alan Hahn (09:00): "Don Han Rosenberg, 880 ESPN and the ESPN New York app...what was the name again? Anthony. Who sent it?"
• Alan Hahn (10:15): "That's what they were and it feels like that's not what they want to be anymore."

Key Points Discussed:

• Shift in Financial Strategy: Steinbrenner’s apparent alignment with mid-market teams rather than maintaining the Yankees' traditional big-market, high-spending approach.

  • Peter Rosenberg (12:25): "Baseball does have a haves and haves not problem again. And the only way to correct it is to get up."

• Potential Move Towards Salary Caps: Speculation that MLB might consider implementing salary caps similar to other major sports leagues like the NBA and NFL to address financial disparities between teams.

  • Peter Rosenberg (13:39): "If baseball had a salary cap, the Yankees would benefit exponentially more than any other team would."

• Impact on Teams and Players: Discussion on how such financial regulations could level the playing field, benefiting both teams and the Players Association by ensuring a minimum payroll for all franchises.

  • Alan Hahn (15:17): "Even if it's the right thing, it's not dope for the fans."

Notable Quote with Attribution and Timestamp:

• Alan Hahn (10:15): "That's what they were and it feels like that's not what they want to be anymore."

3. Don LaGreca’s Top Five Quarterbacks List (23:00 – 33:27)

Don LaGreca introduces his personal list of the top five quarterbacks heading into the upcoming NFL season. This segment sparks an in-depth debate among the hosts about the rankings and the criteria used.

Don LaGreca’s Top Five Quarterbacks:

1. Joe Burrow
2. Lamar Jackson
3. Patrick Mahomes
4. Josh Allen
5. Jaden Daniels

Key Discussion Points:

• Patrick Mahomes’ Ranking Controversy: Peter Rosenberg and Alan Hahn challenge Don’s placement of Mahomes at number three, arguing that Mahomes should be at the top due to his exceptional performance and influence on the Kansas City Chiefs' success.

  • Don LaGreca (27:04): "Guys, I know this sounds nuts because we're talking About a three. Pete, I have Patrick Mahomes as number three of your best quarterbacks in the NFL heading into next season."

  • Alan Hahn (29:21): "He doesn't play in a system. He is the system."

• Jaden Daniels’ Inclusion: The inclusion of rookie Jaden Daniels in the top five is met with skepticism. Peter and Alan express doubts about his consistency and whether he deserves a spot over more established quarterbacks.

  • Peter Rosenberg (27:06): "Jaden Daniels has been replaced by Baker Mayfield. Terry McLaurin is not in the Pro Bowl."

• Criteria for Rankings: The hosts debate whether the rankings should be based on individual talent, team performance, consistency, or the ability to impact games critically.

  • Don LaGreca (23:48): "This is not about who you would build your team with... it's about who are the five quarterbacks that when they're out there, they're the best ones on the field."

Notable Quotes:

• Don LaGreca (28:05): "Who you putting in over Daniels, who you'd be scared of as the starting quarterback next year?"

• Alan Hahn (30:28): "Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in the NFL. To not put him at number one, he's as a nine, as a 10, as 11, as a 12."

4. Critique of the Pro Bowl (33:27 – 44:25)

The hosts express strong disapproval of the NFL Pro Bowl, criticizing its format, player selection, and perceived lack of competitiveness. They characterize it as a redundant and subpar event that fails to capture the essence of elite football.

Key Points Discussed:

• Flag Football Format: The switch to a flag football game diminishes the Pro Bowl's appeal, making it seem more like a casual exhibition than a showcase of top-tier talent.

  • Don LaGreca (37:01): "Peter, honestly, if I had... I am not watching live. He's pulling content. I'm not doing it."

• Player Selections and Replacements: Frustration over seemingly arbitrary selections and replacements, where deserving players are omitted while less impactful players are included.

  • Alan Hahn (40:23): "James Cook is real, is at least a real player."

• Event Redundancy: The Pro Bowl is viewed as losing its significance, comparing it unfavorably to other sports’ All-Star events that have evolved to maintain fan interest.

  • Peter Rosenberg (43:32): "It gets to that point now where it used to be a thing to see superstars playing on the same team because we never got to see that."

Proposed Solutions:

• Award Ceremony Alternative: Suggesting that the NFL should replace the Pro Bowl game with an award ceremony that honors the season's top performers without necessitating a game that lacks competitiveness.

  • Alan Hahn (44:03): "Every league now does this thing. The NHL was smart. You have make it a night, make it an event, and turn it into something like you would the Oscars."

Notable Quotes:

• Peter Rosenberg (41:22): "There's tons of teams that are making like zero money. If you have a salary cap, guys, you then have a floor."

• Don LaGreca (44:07): "There's no way I'd watch it even if everybody played."

5. Closing Discussions and Final Thoughts (44:25 – End)

The episode wraps up with final discussions on the Pro Bowl and its future, interspersed with humorous remarks and promotional segments. The hosts reiterate their dissatisfaction with the current format and advocate for meaningful changes to restore its relevance.

Key Points:

• Final Critique: Reinforcement of the Pro Bowl’s shortcomings and a call for restructuring how the NFL honors its top players.

  • Alan Hahn (45:53): "All our All Star Games have they kind of, as we like to say, jumped the shark?"

• Humorous Banter: The hosts maintain their engaging and humorous dynamic, ensuring the conversation remains lively despite critical topics.

  • Don LaGreca (40:42): "It's ridiculous."

Notable Quotes:

• Peter Rosenberg (44:06): "Skills competition. At the end of the skills competition, you can have."

• Alan Hahn (46:24): "I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. I just want to know. It's good."

Conclusion

In this episode titled "The List & The Pro Bowl," Don LaGreca presents his rankings of the top five NFL quarterbacks, sparking a robust debate among the hosts about player evaluations and criteria. The conversation seamlessly transitions into a critical analysis of the Pro Bowl, where the hosts express a collective desire for the NFL to reevaluate and revamp its all-star event to better honor and showcase its top talent. Throughout the episode, the blend of sports analysis, personal opinions, and witty exchanges offers listeners both insightful commentary and entertaining discussions.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Don LaGreca (28:05): "Who you putting in over Daniels, who you'd be scared of as the starting quarterback next year?"

• Alan Hahn (30:28): "Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in the NFL. To not put him at number one, he's as a nine, as a 10, as 11, as a 12."

• Peter Rosenberg (41:22): "There's tons of teams that are making like zero money. If you have a salary cap, guys, you then have a floor."

• Don LaGreca (44:07): "There's no way I'd watch it even if everybody played."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions of the "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" podcast episode, providing a clear and engaging overview for those who haven't listened to it.